Projectile



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E. STERN.

PROJBCTILB.

- (NoModel.)

vltmmaea Mar. 1a, 1890.

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

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2 Sheets-Sheet 2. E. STERN.

PROJEGTILE.

(No Model.)

PatentedMar. 18, 1890.

NvENToRZ e Y '1 l ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE..

EDYVARD STERN, OF PHILADELPHIA,PENNSYLVANIA.

PROJ ECTI LE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 423,829, dated March 18, 1890.

Application filed April19, 1889. Serial No. 307,827. (No model.)

T all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD STERN, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Projectiles, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings.

My invention consists of a projectile hav ing a cylinder or sleeve adapted to receive air or other gas under pressure, and which is fitted with a piston or plunger which is provided with mechanism for resisting the pressure of air or other gas which is forced into the interior of the cylinder or sleeve. The mechanism employed being of such construction as to permit the entrance of the plunger or piston farther within the sleeve when the sleeve is inipelled forward through the force of an explosion of gunpowder or other substance in its rear, said sleeve, containing the air or gas under pressure, is to be placed between the projectile containing dynamite orother high explosive and the seat of the explosive or force used in impelling or throwing the projectile from the gun, the rear portion of the projectile being adapted to enter the cylinder or sleeve when the latter is impelled forward, thus forming an eicient air-cushion between the projectile and the seat of the explosive, thereby reducing the shook im* parted to a projectile when forced from a gun in the usual manner.

The invention may also be employed in connection with the firing of solid shot, and when so employed will reduce the sudden shock which tends to burst the cannon.

Other advantages resulting from the use of my invention will be fully set forth.

Figure 1 represents a longitudinal section of a projectile embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal section of a modication.

. Similar letters of reference indicate corre sponding parts in the two figures.

Referring to the drawings, A designates a projectile of suitable form, having a chamber B for dynamite or other high explosive.

C designates a chamber for containing com.- pressed air or other gas, the same being formed in a sleeve D, the forward end of which freely encircles the breech end of the pressure may be forced into the chamber C, Y

said pipe being covered, when desired, by a cap G, which is screwed or otherwise attached to the contiguous end of the sleeve D.

Vithin the chamber C, toward the vforward end of the same, and consequently at the rear of the projectile, is a plunger H, between which and the projectile are buffers J, of rubber or other elastic material, which may be glued to the surface of the piston, and provide a cushion between the piston and the projectile. To the periphery of the plunger are fitted dogs K, which enter recesses in the inner face of the sleeve D, said dogs being of such construction that while they prevent the gas or air under pressure from expelling the piston from the sleeve D they will permitthe free advance of the sleeve forward over the piston when it is impelled by a force or explosion from the rear. This latter action of the mechanism of the plunger is more'rnarked when a mass or projectile bearing upon it prevents or tends. to check the forward motion which would be imparted to it by the sleeve D when the sleeve is impelled forward.

The head of the projectile has at its back a shoulder L, which may be provided with a step shape, as shown in Fig. l, for engagement with the forward end of the sleeve D, which end of the sleeve D may be shaped to receive the step shown in the shoulder L; and, further, the forward end of the sleeve D may be provided with a layer of elastic substance M.

To the projectile at the rear of the shoulder L are catches or tongues N, which are adapted to engage with the recesses or the inner sur face of the sleeve when the latter is forced forward over the projectile. Previous to firing and after the explosion, when the sleeve D is forced forward over the projectile A,

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Y Il I v `jectile.

there may be a partial escape of vgas from the chamber C into t-he space between the shoulder L and the forward end of the sleeve D. The air or other gas thus coniined between the head of the projectile, the sleeve, and the sides' of the cannon will aid the air-cushion formed in the chamber C in preventing shock to the projectile containing the dynamite or other high explosive.

In Fig. 2 the plunger II is formed at or constituted by. the rear of the projectile, the periphery of the'plunger carrying dogs K, which engage with the recesses in the wall of the sleeve D. Projecting rearward from the plunger, at the center thereof,is a stud P,wh ich is adapted to enter the bore of the pipe F when the sleeve is impelled forward over the pro- On the inner face of the sleeve, behind the plunger II, are serrations O, with which the dogs K are adapted to engage when the sleeve is impelled or forced forward over the projectile. The action of the dogs N will tend to preventl the sleeve from returning from the forward position which it has been compelled to assume on theV projectile.

In Fig. 2 it will be seen that the diameter of the projectile at the breech end thereof is such that the forward end of the sleeve fits snugly thereover as well as over the plunger H. The'diameter of the projectile between the sleeve and the shoulder L is reduced, by which provision, when the -sleeve is forced forward over the projectile, it moves with greater freedom, owing to the decreased frictional contact of the adjacent part-s. The diameter of the wall of the chamber C at the portion rear of the plungerH is greater than the portion with which the plunger is in contact, soV that whenthe sleeve advances it moves with greater freedom, owing to the decreased frietional contact of the adjacent part-s. I Previous to firing the powder or other explosive used in forcing the sleeve and proj ectile from the gun, and after the explosion,

Y when the sleeve is being forced forward over the projectile, there may be 'a partial escapel of the compressed air from the chamber C into the space between the shoulder L of the projectile and the forward end of the sleeve D and sides of the cannon. The air or other gas being thus confined between the head of the projectile, the front of the sleeve and the sides of the cannon will form an air-cushion, aiding the cushion formed in the chamber C in preventing shock being communicated to the projectile containing the dynamite or other high explosive.. The distance from the shoulder Lto the forward end of the sleeve C is charged with air or gas under pressure, j

said chamber being determined by the plunger H and rear and side walls of the sleeve D, and having its joints as tight as found practicable. The pressure within the chamber may be raised to sucha point asis found in practice to form the best air-cushion for the purpose of decreasing the shock communicated in the usual method of discharge. The projectile, with its attached parts -in the position shown in the drawings, is inserted in the cannon or fire-arm, and th'e latter discharged in any suitable manner. As the sleeve is impelled it advances and rides over the body of the project-ile, and the air in the chamber C provides a cushion, which decreases the shock imparted to the projectile, as has been stated, an additional cushion being provided by the channel formed around the projectile between the shoulderL and forward end of the sleeve, said channel being circumscribed by the bore of the cannon. In the new position attained by the sleeve the tongues N interlock with the sleeve, an additional interlocking action being provided by the dogs K, if so desired.

I do not limit myself to the precise form of mechanism shown as holding the piston in its original position or for holding the sleeve upon the projectile when it is forced forward upon the latter, but will in practice use any known mechanical device which will most suitably effect the objects sought. lIn practice any suitable packing for rendering the junction of the piston and sleeve air-tight or any known form of construction aiding the object sought may be employed. Any suitable fuse for exploding the dynamite or other high explosive .at the desired pointmay be employed.

Having thus describedlmy invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- 1 1. A projectile having a chamber for high explosive material therein and provided with a sleeve embracing the breech end thereof, the said sleeve having an air-chamber and a plunger at the breech end of the projectile and adapted to move in said air-chamber, said partsl being combined substantially as described.

2. A projectile having a chamber for high vexplosive material andv a chamber for compressed air or gas rearward of the same, formed by a plunger at the breech end of the projectile, and a sleeve which is movably fitted to the projectile and capable of riding .thereoven as stated.

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the sleeve is advanced,substantially as described. r

4. A projectile having the shoulder L on its side and provided with a sleeve embracing the breech end thereof and adapted to ride thereon, said sleeve having atits forward end a depression, coinciding with said shoulder on the projectile, and a plunger at the breech end of said projectile, having locking-dogs therein, the latter being adapted to engage in recesses in the sleeve, said parts being combined substantially as described.

5. A projectile having a central portion of reduced diameter and provided With a sleeve embracing the breech end thereof and adapted to ride thereon, the said sleeve having an aircha-mber of increased diameter at the end the breech portion of the projectile, s( id parts combined substantially as described.

EDWARD STERN. NVitnesses:

JOHN A. WIEDERSHEIM, JAMES F. KELLY. 

